A representation of the surrender of the Island of Oteheite to Captain Wallis by the supposed Queen Oberea
Captain Samuel Wallis (1728-1795) took command of the frigate Dolphin (back from John Byron's circumnavigation of the globe). Wallis' description of Tahiti (as published by John Hawkesworth in 1773 on behalf of the Admirality) helped, along with the accounts of James Cook and Joseph Banks, to stamp an 'exotic' imprint on Europe's image of the south seas. Wallis' achievements helped shape Cook's first Endeavour voyage. He recommended the island for the Transit of Venus observations and Cook arrived here in April 1769. Cook, like Wallis two years before him, anchored his ship in the shelter of Matavai Bay on the western side of the island. This is the second of two engravings showing the surrender of the islanders after a battle between the Europeans and the Tahitians. Mounted in album with PAI3938-PAI3952, PAI3954-PAI4076.; Page 14.; Typewritten title stuck below image.; Plate No.22.
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